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A pianist is coming to town soon for a piano concert. She is currently my favorite pianist/performer. I would like to bring a bouquet of flowers to place on the stage after the performance to express my appreciation. Would that be inappropriate?

pianoloverus
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 19946
Loc: New York City

Originally Posted By: BWV 846

I don't think I have ever seen somebody who was just an audience member, not someone who works for the venue, do it at a concert.

I think sometimes at the largest concert halls ushers may bring the flowers, but I've also seen regular audience members do it, and it's very common in smaller halls for audience members to do it in my experience.

I know who you're going to hear and the answer is yes, she'd love to have flowers.

, I brought flowers some years ago to a concert in London. Thankfully the star did not cancel -and I was a tart sight in my Savile Row pinstripe suit offering them- but otherwise, I would have just passed them on to my mother.

Just be sure the bouquet is nice enough to properly express your appreciation. I have seen gas-station flowers presented to performers by representatives of the house, and it was embarrassing. I would hate to see the performer accept your bouquet of roses, only to turn them around and whip you with the stems as he chased you from the hall.

Ok, I'm lying--- that would be quite a show. There would be ink for years.

Anyway, when you say it with flowers, be sure you say the right thing. The language is rather explicit.

I saw Isaac Stern receive post-concert flowers on a documentary about his last China trip, along with several other performers. He threw the flowers to someone in the audience, then encouraged the other performers to do likewise (they seemed to have wanted to keep their bouquets). I thought this was all rather tacky--he should have kept the flowers.

I see nothing tacky about that gesture at all. Stern, with his international reputation is highly unlikely to do anything tacky or against custom; perhaps it was a question of "different country, different customs." Stern was obviously sharing his enjoyment of the event by sharing with the audience their delight in the performance. I've often seen that done, particularly after an operatic performance where the lead soprano or lead tenor (when the poor guy even gets some flowers) shares them with the audience.

Originally Posted By: WhoDwaldi

I did a competition once where a female competitor received flowers in the lobby after her performance, before the competition was over, from some group of boys attending the same college (also where the competition was held). She must have been the sweetheart of Phi Mu Alpha, or something. I thought it was rather tacky, as she had not won yet, and I was waiting to perform!

Why was that tacky? Some friends obviously wanted to share their appreciation for the performance that had just taken place. Do you think only the winners should be presented with flowers? Did you think you were being up-staged, somehow? It was, after all, in the lobby, not on stage. It seems like a kindly, thoughtful gesture; nothing tacky about it in my mind.

Originally Posted By: WhoDwaldi

Some people have flower arragements put on stage for recitals. Nice, as long as they don't get knocked over moving the pianos around for two-piano concerto performances.

By all means come forward to present the artist with a large bouquet of flowers! If they don't reach out their hand to accept, simply lay them down on the stage. Alternatively you could throw single stem roses from the stage-side balcony for an Olympic touch.

Angela Hewitt is an ex-ballerina, and ballerinas are always pleased to receive flowers .

In Russia and Eastern Europe, even male pianists are given bouquets by (female) members of the audience, as you can see here: http://youtu.be/weNs4NuhJ0g

_________________________
"I don't play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life."

I have the impression that the giving of flowers, particularly to men, is more common practice in Europe than in North America. For some unknown reason, it seems to be considered 'un-manly' to give flowers to a man - or for a man to accept flowers - on this side of the world.

I have the impression that the giving of flowers, particularly to men, is more common practice in Europe than in North America. For some unknown reason, it seems to be considered 'un-manly' to give flowers to a man - or for a man to accept flowers - on this side of the world.

Regards,

Ridiculous. I occasionally give my husband or my son, (the one who still lives with us), flowers. I try to choose colors they would like, like yellow, blue or orange.

I have the impression that the giving of flowers, particularly to men, is more common practice in Europe than in North America. For some unknown reason, it seems to be considered 'un-manly' to give flowers to a man - or for a man to accept flowers - on this side of the world.

Well, I agree that it is not that common to give flowers (or for men to receive them) in North America - but I don't know if it is much more common in Europe overall. That's not my impression.

In anycase, I regularly buy my husband flowers. He seems to like getting them... mind you I think he prefers when I bake him a chocolate cake.

_________________________ XVIII-XXXVISometimes I try to progress faster than I am ready for.SwissMsFollow your teacher's instructions and practice wisely/much, and you'll soon wonder how you ever found it hard. BobPicklePerformance anxiety: make it part of your daily routine and deal with it...Cope! zrtf90

#2030681 - 02/10/1305:31 PMRe: Appropriate to give flowers to a pianist after a concert?
[Re: BruceD]

Damon
6000 Post Club Member
Registered: 09/22/06
Posts: 6356
Loc: St. Louis area

Originally Posted By: BruceD

I have the impression that the giving of flowers, particularly to men, is more common practice in Europe than in North America. For some unknown reason, it seems to be considered 'un-manly' to give flowers to a man - or for a man to accept flowers - on this side of the world.

Regards,

I don't understand why anyone would want murdered flowers, but women seem to like them without fail. I'd accept them as a living plant, but I don't care to receive anything that will be dead soon.

I have the impression that the giving of flowers, particularly to men, is more common practice in Europe than in North America. For some unknown reason, it seems to be considered 'un-manly' to give flowers to a man - or for a man to accept flowers - on this side of the world.

Regards,

I don't understand why anyone would want murdered flowers, but women seem to like them without fail. I'd accept them as a living plant, but I don't care to receive anything that will be dead soon.

I see your point but keep in mind: flowers are short lived whether they are attached to the plant or not.